Variable grip triceps attachment

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a variable grip triceps push down exercise attachment comprising a curved bar to be grabbed by a user and a curved neck-bar, which is rigidly attached to the center point of the curved bar on its upper angled portion from one end and extending upward to attach to a variable resistance system. The curved neck portion has a gentle arcing shape which re-directs the resistance such that the line of force applied by the user is guided towards the user&#39;s center of gravity. Therefore, the user does not have to be directly below the cable or in any way directly in the force vector pattern of force of the attachment and the resistance attached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to gym equipment, and in specific, to a variable grip triceps attachment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The triceps muscles comprise of three heads: an inner, a middle, and an outer portion. To build the triceps muscles at the back of the arm, one can use an exercise called a triceps push-down exercise. The traditional way of performing this exercise is to grab and push down a bar, which is connected to a cable, which is connected to a set of weight plates. This exercise builds the back of the arm or the triceps muscles when done correctly.

Various forms of curved and angled bars and ropes are currently used as triceps attachments in resistance training weight stack machines. However, the current bars have several issues. The current bars do not allow the user's triceps to fully extend at the sides of the user's body with the user standing straight up with normal, healthy posture. The current bars do not effectively re-direct the resistance over the user's center of gravity during and at the end of this exercise movement, therefore, increasing the potential for injury.

Existing triceps exercise attachments generally provide only one or two grip alternatives. This limits the possible variations in training different parts of the triceps muscles, and lower number of muscle stimulation movements, and consequently, results in less effective training of the triceps muscles.

In using the currently available devices, the user must “hunch over” with his/her head and upper back bending forward at the hip in an attempt to keep the resistance over his/her center of gravity and body weight. Because the resistance is generally attached to an overhead cable, the user is then forced to place his/her head asymmetrically on either side of the cable, instead of maintaining a naturally centered head position. With the current attachments, the shoulders are not allowed to swivel naturally but must instead rotate inwardly across the torso to force the attachment down to complete the exercise. The wrists and hands of the user must also bend and adapt to the attachment to complete the movement.

The exercise may only be completed with the existing attachments being in front of the user's center of gravity as the user locks out the arms in full extension at the end of the movement, creating an awkward and less natural movement pattern. Rope or cable attachments, which obviously move and bend, cannot successfully re-direct the resistance force because of their malleability. Therefore, the existing attachments provide a very uncomfortable movement, in which the user's heads and upper body are inherently in the way of the resistance movement pattern and directly in the way of the attachment, which is being pushed down.

The triceps pushdown exercise naturally involves the user overcoming not just the direct force of gravity related to the amount of resistance, but also the movement arm force created by the distance between the user's center of gravity and the force vector the user creates. The force created by the user must overcome the resistance (the weights and the bar). Therefore, the force vector (or the line of force) needs to be just slightly in front of the user's center of gravity.

In addition, there is an inherent risk with these attachments because if the user somehow loses his/her grip on the attachment when straining to push it down to a full extension, there is a great risk that it will snap up and strike the user in the chin, face or head. The heavier the resistance, the greater the risk, since the more the user must change his/her posture and bend over to align his/her center of gravity with the line of force. This danger is created partially by the natural inclination to minimize the moment arm force working against the user when completing this exercise. The risk of injury in this exercise significantly increases with heavier amounts of resistance.

All of the above-mentioned issues create an awkward, uncomfortable, unnatural, and less effective exercise. Furthermore, the existing attachments also create a higher likelihood of unwanted injuries or strain of the neck, shoulders, wrists, hands, face or head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a variable grip triceps push down exercise attachment that creates and allows a safer, more comfortable, and an ergonomically correct movement pattern for any user. The present attachment results in a more efficient and effective stimulation of the triceps muscles, when completing a triceps push-down exercise or similar movement. This improved stimulation of the triceps muscles creates more effective results in building the size and the strength of the triceps muscles.

The present attachment comprises of a curved bar to be grabbed by a user and a curved neck portion, which is rigidly attached, preferably welded, to the center point of the curved bar on its upper angled portion from one end and extending upward. The top end of the curved neck portion connects via an attachment means being an eye-hook or a ring to a typical overhead cable or band, which is then attached to a variable resistance system. The curved neck portion has a gentle arcing shape. This gentle curve in the metal neck portion re-directs the resistance such that the line of force applied by the user is guided towards the user's center of gravity. Therefore, the user does not have to be directly below the cable or in any way directly in the force vector pattern of force of the attachment and the resistance attached.

The curved bar of the present triceps attachment is ergonomically designed to allow for a clearance from the sloping neck portion. The curved bar is comprised of symmetrical right and left sides, each extending from its point of attachment to the curved neck portion. The two symmetrical parts of the curved bar curve and angle inwards (towards the user). The ends of each of these sides form into multi-pronged handles.

In order of sequence from the inside portion of each side, moving outward, the first hand grip option is at an approximate angle of 45 degrees. This is the innermost grip alternative. The second option is at approximately 90 degrees and approximates a neutral grip. The third grip option approximates a 20 degree, close to horizontal angle. It may be used with palms up (supinated) grip or palms down (pronated) grip. Finally, the fourth grip option is represented by a pair of neutral grip handles, which move freely and are connected to the ends of the curved bar through a pair of eye-hooks.

The present attachment is made from a proprietary and effective combination of a solid metal rod and hollow metal pipe sections. This not only provides a sturdy attachment, but it allows the apparatus to maintain its effective angle when hanging freely in space. With a combination of metal rods and pipes, the whole attachment weighs is approximately 12 pounds.

The attachment effectively curves around the user's body such that the user's triceps are able to fully extend naturally and completely at the side of the user's body. The present attachment safely and effectively allows for the re-direction of the resistance against which the user is exerting force, directly over the user's center of gravity at the end of the movement.

The user maintains an upright and healthy posture with his/her chest out, back in natural extension and shoulders in neutral position, without the tendency or requirement of bending over at the hip when completing this exercise. This is because the resistance is gently redirected, via the attachment's shape over the user's center of gravity. This is especially important at the end of the movement to allow for a successful, natural full extension of triceps muscles. Further, the user no longer needs to awkwardly and asymmetrically move his/her head to one side of a cable when completing this exercise. This is because the resistance is gently redirected, via the attachment's shape, and design over the user's center of gravity, especially at the end of the movement when the arms are at full extension and the triceps muscles are fully contracted.

The shape, design and weights of specific aspects of this attachment allows the shoulders of the user to swivel freely and comfortably at the user's side without being forced to rotate inwardly across the user's torso, thus risking shoulder strain and injury.

Due to the ergonomically friendly pattern of the movement that this attachment creates, and the multiple grip options available, including a free form, moveable handle, there is far less unnecessary, unnatural and unhealthy strain on the user's hands and wrists. There is a more natural movement created well within the normal and natural range of movement of the hands and wrists when using the attachment to complete the triceps push-down exercise and especially at the end of the exercise when locking out the triceps in full extension to complete the motion. This is due to a healthy movement pattern created by the attachment resulting in a more natural extension of the arms at the sides of the user and ending over the user's center of gravity, instead of awkwardly ahead of the user's center of gravity with the grip of the hands forced inward, closer together causing unnecessary stress and strain on the joints and muscles of the hands and wrists.

The entire design, shape, and specific weights of various aspects of the frame of the attachment allow for a movement pattern which aligns much more directly with the center of gravity of the user, especially toward the end of the movement, via a gentle re-direction of the resistance. This is all accomplished while maintaining the user's head and upper body safely and just outside of the line of force and movement pattern of the resistance.

Further, if the user somehow loses his/her grip on the attachment when straining to push it down to full extension there is no longer risk that it will snap up and strike the user in the chin, face or head. This is because the attachment elegantly and effectively removes the user's head and body from the resistance (attachment) line of force and movement pattern. This is vitally important as users challenge themselves with heavier weights and/or attempt at increased repetitions, yet will not be compelled nor feel the necessity to align himself/herself more and more directly over the resistance to complete this exercise. The risk here has largely disappeared because the user will no longer be required to negatively change his/her posture as noted and required with existing attachment options.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a grip triceps attachment to allow a movement pattern, which is extremely comfortable for the user, especially relative to the existing and traditional alternatives, and can be used safely by beginners, as well as stronger and more experienced athletes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment that gently and successfully re-directs the resistance line of force in a graduated way such that the full extension of hands and triceps at the very end of the movement pattern is directly over the user's center of gravity and body weight, instead of being forced to end out in front of the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a natural, comfortable, safer and more effective exercise, and to provide a healthy movement pattern resulting in a more natural extension of the arms at the sides of the user and ending over the user's center of gravity, instead of awkwardly ahead of the user's center of gravity.

It is another object of the present invention to remove any chance of injury or strain of the neck, shoulders, wrist, hands, face or head.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide up to 4 different grip options, including: approximately 45 degree, neutral, pronated or supinated, and free form. This variation provides for multiple ways to stimulate the growth and strength of the triceps muscles and to emphasize different aspects or parts of the triceps muscles. This variation in stimulation provides for multiple and continuing adaptations for the user and therefore far more effective results for a much longer period of time, compared to standard, existing triceps attachment alternatives.

It is another object of the present invention, when the user is straining to push the resistance down to a full extension it minimizes the risk of the attachment to snap up and strike the user in the chin, face or head if the user loses his/her grip on the attachment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment for triceps exercise, which can be used with any type of “stack” machine gym equipment that typically works with this type of triceps exercise attachment or any band or other form of system or form of resistance that will effectively accommodate resistance whereby the attachment may be pushed down by the user, against resistance to train the triceps muscles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a variable grip triceps attachment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a variable grip triceps attachment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the present invention attached to an exercise device;

FIG. 4 shows a user while performing a triceps exercise using the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the approximate dimension of the parts of the attachment, and

FIG. 6 shows a user while performing a triceps exercise using an existing triceps exercise attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

The apparatus disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosed technology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the variable grip triceps attachment 10 of the present invention. The attachment 10 comprises of a curved bar 11 and a curved neck 12. The curved bar 11 has an attachment point on its most upper center point 22. The curved neck 12 is rigidly attached to the apex 22 (also referred to as the center attachment point) of the curved bar 11 from its first end. The curved neck 12 is attached to the curved bar 12 with an angle about 50-degrees inwards with respect to the plane of the curved bar 11.

The curved bar 11 is symmetrically bent downwardly from its centre point 22 to the left side and right side and have a set of eye-hooks 18, 19 on its left free end 29 and right free end 30. In one embodiment, the curved bar is made of one single bar that is curved forming a substantially U-shaped bar. In another embodiment, the curved bar is formed by having several straight bars having several bend points. This allows the user to be able to easily grab different sections of the bar. The curved symmetric curved bar 11 bends downwardly from its apex 22 (center attachment point) with a first bend point 25 and second bend point 27 on its left side. The symmetric curved bar 11 further bends downwardly from its center point 22 in first point 26 and second point 28 on its right side. These bents form several handgrip sections.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 again the curved bar 11 further has a handle on the left side 14 and right side 15 symmetrically extend outwardly from the free ends sections 29, 30 of the curved bar 11 to allow for pronated or supinated grip options. The handles 14, 15 are welded or constructed in a downward close to 90 degree angle attached to oppose sides of the curved bar 11.

The first symmetrical handgrip sections 43, 44, at the upper part of the curved bar 11 between the first bend points and the second bend points 25-27 and 26-28 have an approximately 45-degree angle with respect to horizontal axis defined as the axis perpendicular to the curved neck bar 12. The second symmetrical hand grip sections 33, 34, between the second bend points and free ends 27-29 and 28-30 have a larger angle with respect to horizontal axis. A third hand grip sections, 14, 15, extends outwardly from the free ends sections 29, 30 of the curved bar 11 to allow for pronated or supinated grip options. The free ends of the curved bar 11 have a set of eye-hooks 18, 19 for connecting free grip handles 23, 24 which may be used for a free neutral handgrip. Therefore, various hand grips, including approximately 45 degree, neutral, pronated, supinated, and free form are possible in the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 in order of sequence from the inside portion of each side, moving outward, the first hand grip option 43, 44 is at an approximate angle of 45 degrees. This is the innermost grip alternative. The second option is at approximately 90 degrees and approximates a neutral grip 33, 34. The third grip option 14, 15 approximates a 20 degree, close to horizontal angle. It may be used with a palms up (supinated) grip or palms down (pronated) grip. Finally, the fourth grip option (23, 24) is represented by a pair of neutral grip handles, which move freely and are connected to the ends of the curved handle through a pair of eye-hooks 18, 19.

The distal end of the curved neck 12 connects via an attachment means 16 to a typical overhead cable or band 40, which is further attached to a variable amount of resistance. The attachment means 16 is being an eye-hook, a ring or other means which are used in exercise devices. The curved neck 12 slightly re-direct the resistance such that the line of force applied by the user is toward the user's centre of gravity. Therefore, the user does not have to be directly under the cable.

The curved bar 11 is wide enough to provide enough space for the torso, hips, or upper legs of an average to large sized user. This special shape of the present invention provides a clearance between the curved neck 12 and user's face and effectively curves around the user's body 100 such that the user's triceps are able to fully extend naturally and completely at the side of the user's body 100.

The present invention 10 is preferably made of hollow steel tubes. To provide rigid and sturdy connection, the centre attachment point 22 of the curved bar 11 is made of a stolid steel rod or a thick wall steel tube. This design allows the attachment to hold its form when hanging freely and to operate effectively when in use. The weight of the grip triceps attachment 10 is approximately 10 to 12 pounds.

FIG. 4 illustrates a user 100 while performing a triceps push-down exercise using the triceps attachment 10 of the present invention. The attachment 10 effectively curves around the user's body 100 such that the user's triceps are able to fully extend naturally and completely at the side of the user's body. The attachment 10 safely, elegantly and effectively re-directs the resistance force over the user's centre of gravity at the end of the movement. The user 100 maintains an upright and healthy posture with his/her chest out, back in natural extension and shoulders in neutral position, without bending over at the hip when completing this exercise. Further, the user 100 no longer needs to move his/her head to one side of a cable 40 when completing this exercise. Again, this is because the resistance is gently redirected via the attachment's shape, more directly over the user's centre of gravity, especially at the end or full extension of the movement.

FIG. 5 shows the approximate dimensions of various parts of the grip triceps attachment 10 according to the present invention. All elements of the current invention as outlined are necessary for its robust and successful function. The approximate length of the grip point 43, 44 is about 9 inches and for the grip point 33, 34 is about 7 inches. The length of grip points 14, 15 and 23, 24 is about 7.5 inches. The distance between bent points 27 and 28 is approximately 17 inches and this distance between free end points 29, 30 is about 20 inches. Variations and slight modifications in angles, weights, lengths and distances of different parts or aspects of the curved bar 11 and the curved neck 12 of the attachment 10 could be made to “customize” the attachment for different users of different body sizes and limb lengths and to thus allow the invention to quite possibly work more effectively and comfortably. Any of these slight modifications to adhere to specific users could be considered as slight changes to make the current invention work better. The shape, design and weights of specific aspects of this attachment allow the shoulders of the user 100 to swivel freely and comfortably at the user's side without being forced to rotate inwardly across the user's torso, thus risking shoulder strain and injury.

FIG. 6 illustrates a user while performing triceps exercise using an existing attachment 60. the user 100 must “hunch over” with his/her head and upper back, bending forward at the hip in an attempt to keep the resistance over his/her centre of gravity and body weight. Because the resistance is generally attached to an overhead cable 40, the user 100 is then forced to place his/her head asymmetrically on either side of the cable instead of maintaining a naturally centred head position. The prior art attachments 60 do not allow the shoulders of the user to swivel naturally at the sides of the body but must instead rotate inwardly across the torso to force the attachment down to complete the exercise. The wrists and hands of the user 100 must also bend and adapt to the attachment to complete the exercise movement.

Existing triceps exercise attachments 60 generally provide only one or two grip alternatives, allowing little variation with respect to the part of the triceps muscles emphasized and a lack of choice for the user 100, less possibility for different stimulation and therefore less adaptation and consequently less effective results and success in training the triceps muscles. Existing attachments 60 and 70 provide generally, what is a very uncomfortable movement pattern for the user. Existing attachments 60 are not agronomical and do not effectively curve around the user's 100 body such that the user's triceps are not able to fully extend naturally and completely at the side of the user's body. Rope attachments that obviously move and bend, cannot successfully re-direct the resistance force pattern because of their malleability and thus the very same problems exist as with current static attachment options.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size, shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

What is claimed is: 1) A variable grip triceps attachment to be grabbed by a user for an exercise device comprising: a) a curved bar having a central apex and a pair of free ends and a concave curvature towards the use, said curved bar defining a first plane, and b) a curved neck-bar having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end is rigidly attached to the central apex of said curved bar at an acute angle with respect to said first plane, and the proximal end having an attachment mechanism to removably attach to a cable of a variable resistance system, and wherein the curved neck-bar has an arcing shape to re-direct a resistance so that a line of force applied by the user is guided towards a center of gravity of the user, and thereby the user is not directly below the cable, whereby the curved bar curves around the user such that the triceps of the use extend naturally and completely at the sides of the user and the curved neck-bar keeps the cable away from a face of the user. 2) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said curved neck-bar is attached to said curved bar with an angle of about 50 degrees inwards towards the user, whereby providing a space between said attachment and user's face to extend naturally and completely at the side of the user's body. 3) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said acute angle is in the range of 10 to 80 degrees with respect to said first plane. 4) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said acute angle is 50 degrees with respect to said first plane. 5) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism is a ring attachment. 6) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said curved bar comprising of a first and second hand-grip sections that are substantially straight sections, and each extending away from the apex with a first obtuse angle with respect to each other. 7) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 6, wherein said first obtuse angle is in the range of 95 to
 180. 8) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 6, wherein said curved bar comprising of a third and fourth hand-grip sections that are substantially straight sections, and each extending away from the first and second hand-grip section, at a third and fourth bend points with a bend angle in the range of 90 to 180 degrees. 9) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said curved bar further having a pair of hand grips attached close to said free ends of the curved bar at an angle of about 45 or 90 degrees. 10) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of free ends have a multi-pronged handle with an angle of about 20 degrees to provide a supinated grip or pronated grip. 11) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, further having a pair of free handles attached to said free ends through a pair of eye hooks to provide a neutral free hand grip. 12) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein said attachment is made from a combination of metal rods and hollow metal pipes. 13) The variable grip triceps attachment of claim 1, wherein a width of the curved bar defined as the distance between said pair of free ends is about 20 inches. 